Edward Thomas Williams
Encyclopedia
Edward Thomas Williams was a Lieutenant General
in the United States Army
. He gained prominence as chief of artillery for the Third United States Army in Europe
during World War II
, commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center
, and commander of the Fourth United States Army.
on February 6, 1901. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1920.
Williams served in artillery assignments of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including a posting to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a member of the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, assignment to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and a position as an instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
In 1939 Williams graduated from the Command and General Staff College
.
, taking part in operations throughout Europe
after the D-Day
invasion and earning the Distinguished Service Medal
.
Williams served as chief of staff for U.S. Army, Europe from 1952 to 1953.
In 1953 Williams was appointed deputy commander of the Third United States Army, serving until 1954.
Williams was then named commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center
, serving from 1954 to 1956.
In 1956 Williams was named deputy commander of the Continental Army Command
, a position he held until 1959.
In 1958 he chaired the Williams Board, which reviewed and recommended changes to the Army’s professional education system for officers.
Williams was selected to command the Fourth United States Army in 1959, and he served in this post until his retirement.
While commanding the Fourth Army Williams represented the United States
at the funeral of Walter Williams of Texas
, who claimed to have been a Confederate soldier and the last living American Civil War
veteran.
, the Legion of Merit
, and the Bronze Star.
. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
, Section PA, Site 249-C.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He gained prominence as chief of artillery for the Third United States Army in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center
United States Army Field Artillery School
The United States Army Field Artillery School trains Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of fire support systems in support of the maneuver commander...
, and commander of the Fourth United States Army.
Early life
Williams was born in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
on February 6, 1901. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1920.
Early career
In 1921 Williams graduated from the Field Artillery Basic Course.Williams served in artillery assignments of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including a posting to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a member of the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, assignment to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and a position as an instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
In 1939 Williams graduated from the Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
.
World War II
Williams served as commander of the Third United States Army Artillery during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, taking part in operations throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
after the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
invasion and earning the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
.
Post World War II
From 1950 to 1952 Williams was assigned as deputy chief of staff for operations at the U.S. Army European Command.Williams served as chief of staff for U.S. Army, Europe from 1952 to 1953.
In 1953 Williams was appointed deputy commander of the Third United States Army, serving until 1954.
Williams was then named commander of the United States Army Field Artillery Center
United States Army Field Artillery School
The United States Army Field Artillery School trains Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of fire support systems in support of the maneuver commander...
, serving from 1954 to 1956.
In 1956 Williams was named deputy commander of the Continental Army Command
Army Ground Forces
The Army Ground Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Service Forces. Throughout their existence, Army Ground Forces were the largest training organization ever established in the United...
, a position he held until 1959.
In 1958 he chaired the Williams Board, which reviewed and recommended changes to the Army’s professional education system for officers.
Williams was selected to command the Fourth United States Army in 1959, and he served in this post until his retirement.
While commanding the Fourth Army Williams represented the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at the funeral of Walter Williams of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, who claimed to have been a Confederate soldier and the last living American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
veteran.
Retirement and Awards
General Williams retired in 1961. His awards and decorations included two Distinguished Service MedalsDistinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, and the Bronze Star.
Death and burial
Williams died on October 14, 1973 in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the city of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2008, had 120,982 interments.- History :...
, Section PA, Site 249-C.